Three Icons Join the Ranks of Nashville’s Most Legendary Business Leaders
NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville Entrepreneur Center today announced the 2025 Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame inductees: fashion designer Manuel Cuevas, real estate developer Mark Deutschmann, and civil rights advocate and publisher Rosetta Miller-Perry. The three will be formally inducted at the NEXT Awards & Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame ceremony on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
“Each of this year’s inductees has built more than a business — they’ve built community,” said Sam Davidson, CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. “Their influence runs deep, from the neighborhoods we live in to the art we wear and the stories we tell. We’re honored to recognize their contributions and look forward to celebrating their legacies at the NEXT Awards.”
Manuel Cuevas: The Rhinestone Rembrandt
For over 60 years, master tailor Manuel Cuevas has created one-of-a-kind clothing that reflects the inner personality of the wearer. Born in Mexico, Cuevas began sewing at age seven and built his reputation in Hollywood working with legendary designers before making a contrarian bet on Nashville in 1988.
Cuevas is credited with putting Johnny Cash in black and has designed for music icons including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, and The Rolling Stones. His move from Hollywood to Nashville brought manufacturing jobs and artisan skills to Music City, establishing Nashville as a destination for premium custom fashion.
“Manuel didn’t just move his business to Nashville,” Davidson noted. “He invested in our craftspeople, taught new skills, and helped transform Music Row into a creative destination.”
Mark Deutschmann: Nashville’s Neighborhood Builder
Mark Deutschmann has been shaping Nashville for nearly four decades through visionary real estate development that prioritizes community over quick profits. As founder of Village Real Estate Services, Core Development, and The CityLiving Group, Deutschmann has been instrumental in the transformation of neighborhoods like 12South, Germantown, and Wedgewood-Houston.
His development projects include the Werthan Mills Lofts in Germantown, The Finery in Wedgewood-Houston, and Alloy at The Fairgrounds. Beyond building, Deutschmann has contributed more than $4.5 million to local housing and neighborhood initiatives through the Village Fund and CoreFund.
Deutschmann is also the author of One-Mile Radius: Building Community from the Core and has served as president of both the Urban Land Institute Nashville and Greenways for Nashville.
Rosetta Miller-Perry: Champion of Community and Truth
Publisher, civil rights advocate, and community leader Rosetta Miller-Perry has made significant contributions across Tennessee for more than 60 years. A U.S. Navy veteran who worked with the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Miller-Perry founded The Tennessee Tribune in 1992 to highlight stories affecting the Black community.
Her entrepreneurial impact extends beyond media. Miller-Perry established the Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce and the Anthony J. Cebrun Journalism Center, creating platforms for economic development and storytelling that continue to serve Nashville today.
“Rosetta has been telling Nashville’s complete story for decades,” Davidson said. “She created institutions that amplify voices and create opportunities, which is entrepreneurship at its most essential.”
Joining an Elite Class
The 2025 inductees join an illustrious group of previous Hall of Fame members including Dr. Michael Burcham (2024), Pat Emery (2024), Amy Kurland (2022), André Prince (2022), Steve Turner (2022), Eddie George (2023), Dolly Parton (2019), Phil Bredesen (2021), and dozens of other Nashville business legends.
The Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame honors individuals who have built long-standing and meaningful careers in Nashville while contributing to the city’s growth, innovation, and prosperity.
About the NEXT Awards
The NEXT Awards & Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame, presented by Amazon, celebrates the visionaries and innovators driving Nashville’s economic growth. The 2025 ceremony will recognize outstanding entrepreneurs across six industry categories, with awards for both startup and growth-stage companies.
The event serves as Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s signature fundraising event, supporting the organization’s mission to increase the likelihood of success for entrepreneurs in Middle Tennessee.
Event Details
What: 2025 NEXT Awards & Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame
When: Monday, October 20, 2025
Where: Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Tickets: On sale August 21, 2025
More Information: ec.co/next-awards
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